EGG

This is a release (and a band) I find very strange and almost impenetrable. An egg has a hard shell and a soft core. Which describe this band almost perfectly. EGG is a strange oddity in the progressive rock scene. They are not quite jazzy as SOFT MACHINE/GILGAMESH and not as melodic as CARAVAN/ SUPERSISTER. EGG is nowhere. The music is a strange blend of quirky pop, symphonic prog and jazz. EGG is one of a kind. Which may explain why so many has a soft spot for them. Which also may explain why the recent BBC documentary on prog rock also included EGG. What a band.....

Back to the music. Here comes the difficult bit......... describing and forming an opinion about this album. It is a mad collection of CARAVAN like prog, ELP like symphonic prog and GONG like jazz. All in one album. At times, the album turns into a straight jazz album. Then it changes over to a symphonic prog album and back to quirky pop again. The result is quite funny.

One of the best songs is aptly named The song of McGuillicudie the Pusillanimous (or don't worry James, your socks are hanging in the coal cellar with Thomas). Yes, that song title probably sums up both this album, the band and the whole Canterbury scene. It is also a superb song which starts as bombastic quirky pop, turns into a jazz number and implement symphonic prog too. All during five minutes. The symphony here is not exactly a standard symphonic prog symphony. It is a mishmash of all the mad things EGG can pull together. Which is a lot..... The other songs are also down that alley. Quirky, eccentric and very English. A good reference is the Monty Python movies. EGG is artistic and cultural wise in that area.

Listening to and then reviewing this album is not easy and takes me well outside my comfort zone. I feel out on a limb and I am sure you readers are ready with a chainsaw, sending me crashing to the ground. This album is normally a three stars album in my view. But I think this album is an essential album for every prog heads. Not because of the quality of the songs, but because of the philosophy of this album. It smashes all musical boundaries to pieces and sets it's own standards. Not quality wise, but by it's contents. I gladly admit I have started to love this madness. I suspect I am not the only one. With a four stars rating, I am urging you all to explore this album. It is mind expanding, mind altering & mind blowing......... without a hangover.

4 stars

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